Five By Design [www.fivebydesign.com]

We're still here

2009-01-30T09:20:00.003-06:00

To all the friends, fans and family of Five By Design:

I wanted to let you know that we will be discontinuing our Blog for now and will be starting up an e-newsletter in the near future. If there are any topics you would like us to include in the letter or simply want our opinion on, please e-mail your thoughts and ideas to us at webmster@fivebydesign.com and we will be sure to address them. We place a high value on our fans and sincerely hope that you will continue to stay in touch. Thank You.

Terrence Niska

On the Road Again

2008-09-22T09:01:00.002-05:00

Well, our summer is over and we're back on the road again. We are currently on a 16 shows in 24 days tour. We have shows in the Midwest primarily but will travel as far as Grand Junction, Colorado. I look forward to crossing the mountains as it should be beautiful this time of year, though in truth it is breathtaking at any time.

This is our first time traveling in a coach as opposed to driving everywhere we go, although Kurt & Lorie are still doing some driving duty with our 24-foot truck which carries all the props for the show. Our driver, Gary, is wonderful and takes excellent care of us on the trip and makes sure we stop every couple hours or so for food and the chance to get out and stretch. Also with us on the trip is Ross who not only helps out with the truck driving duties but in addition helps with all the other aspects of putting up the show.

We are very fortunate to be traveling with our own 8-piece big band, the Robert Baca Jazz Orchestra. Not only are the guys great musicians making the show run as smooth as ever, but they are also a phenomenal help in the load-in and load-out process. Our time for packing up after the show is so fast that we are able to get to the hotel earlier and actually get some sleep. To all the guys in the band (Matt, Jeremy, Josh, Guss, Rodney, Max, Ben and Steve) we offer a giant and heart-felt "Thank You."

On the home front, we are now working with a new technical director, Laurel Stinson. Daniel Ellis who had been working with us for the last several years is pursuing a new career in the world of retail. He is still offering his expertise as a consultant but Laurel has taken on the day-to-day duties associated with the job. We will certainly miss Dan but wish him well in his new endeavor.

On a less than happy note, our sound engineer Phil's wife is currently in the midst of a health crisis. Rather than get in to the details of it all, I simply ask for your prayers and good thoughts to help Majel during thus trying time.

I also want to announce that we have finished a new recording, STAY TUNED. At the moment it is only available at our shows but we look forward to offering it on our website and CD Baby in the very near future, so keep an eye out for updates.

It's time to get back on the bus, so for now I say goodbye and hope to hear from our friends and fans. We are always wiling to discuss our thoughts on music and life in general so please feel free to drop us a line.

Terrence Niska

FRIENDS, FAMILY AND THE 4TH

2008-07-08T09:50:00.002-05:00

Hello to all and I hope you are having a wonderful summer. Our busy season is from September to May so we use the off time to relax a bit as well as catch up on all the work necessary to ensure a smooth touring season. We did perform here in our own backyard with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra as part of their sesquicentennial celebration on July 3rd. It was a beautiful night for an outdoor concert and the fireworks at the end were quite something. While performing in the Twin Cities area is not all that common for us, we would like to make it more so. Along that line, we will be at the Minnesota State Fair this August at the Leinie Band Shell on the 27th and 28th. We’ll be singing with an 8-piece band including the amazing Willis Delony at the keyboard. We have been working with Willis for many years now as conductor, pianist and arranger. His gifts are astounding and we are blessed to count him among our friends and colleagues and a member of the Five By Design family.

Speaking of family, I just returned from a trip up north to spend the 4th of July with my family. My brother, Kurt, and his wife, Lorie, who both sing in the group, drove me up and we had a wonderful get-together on Saturday at our uncle’s cabin. The weather was perfect, if a bit breezy and the food was fantastic. We had all the traditional staples of a 4th of July cookout from brats and hamburgers to potato salad and watermelon. I’m glad we have a little time before our next show to work off all the calories I put in over just a couple of days. All the kids were there except our sister, Sheryl, who was unable to make the trip up from Indiana. The whole brood doesn’t get a chance to be all together that often so it makes it extra special when it does happen. The older I get, the more I come to appreciate any time I am able to spend with friends and family. I enjoy singing in Five By Design and it is a terrific feeling to bring joy to others through what we do, but at the end of the day it really boils down to family for me. Every family has their struggles but it is important to remember that those problems are temporary and should never overshadow the love we feel for one another.

Excuse me a moment while I step down from my soapbox....that’s better. Now, I hope to see those of you who can make it to the State Fair as well as our other shows throughout the year and across the country. We want to hear from you, whether by e-mail or in person. So drop us a line or stop by after the show to say hello. We appreciate your support and will endeavor to bring our brand of entertainment to you for years to come.

Terrence Niska

A WORD OF THANKS

2008-05-20T08:22:00.000-05:00

One of the greatest benefits I have enjoyed as a member of Five By Design has been the opportunity to work with so many talented musicians. As we cross the country performing in so many different locations and working with a variety of orchestras and big bands, I am constantly amazed by the wealth of talent that is out there.

As fabulous as the talent is that we have run across, it is nothing compared to the small group of people we draw on to work with on a regular basis. We have been truly blessed to collaborate with gifted arrangers, pianists, drummers and others as well. There is not enough room in a single blog to list everyone that has been a part of the artistic success of Five By Design and to give them the credit they are due. Suffice it to say that I am eternally grateful for all that they bring to not only our group but to the greater art of music. Their commitment to excellence and passion for their art is inspiring. I often find myself listening to what’s going on in the shows and sometimes lose myself in the particular solo someone may be playing or the beautiful bed of sound supporting our singing. It is sometimes quite difficult to remain focused on what I’m there for with so much happening around me.

I know I have mentioned before how important music is to me on a personal level and working with these individuals only strengthens that feeling. With all that they do in the course of their own busy lives, they still find the time to work with us. I cannot express in words how much they mean to me, not only for their obvious musical gifts but for their personal character as well. They are a somewhat diverse group of people but share in the common goal of making music a part of their lives and bringing joy to others through their talents.

I hesitate to name names only because I am sure I would overlook someone. With all they have given us it would be unfair to name only those I can recall at the time of this blog. After being on the road for a few weeks, the mind gets a little fuzzy and a good night’s sleep is often a dim memory. So to those of you whom we have worked with in the past and hope to continue working with in the future, please know that you have the undying gratitude of Five By Design for all you have done for us and we can only hope to achieve the levels of artistic and personal integrity that you all share.

Terrence Niska

A word from on the road

2008-05-13T21:49:00.002-05:00

Well, we just finished up our performance of Stay Tuned with the Regina Symphony Orchestra in Regina, Saskatchewan. This was our first time with the RSO and everything went smoothly. The conductor, Victor Sawa, was a pleasure to work with and the orchestra played very well. They had a full house and the audience really seemed to enjoy the show. We were their final concert of the season so there was an added feeling of celebration in the air. We each were presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers during our bows. Many times just Sheridan and I are given flowers, but this time even the guys got them.
Even our border crossings went smoothly. For the truck especially, it can often be a time consuming process entering and exiting Canada. Kurt and I are pleased to announce that we had swift and painless crossings. Now we are on to Colorado Springs, CO. to perform Stay Tuned with the Colo. Spgs. Philharmonic Orchestra. This will be our 5th time back with this orchestra. I have lots of family in the Colo Spgs / Denver area so I am looking forward to seeing some of them at the show. We hope to do a little sight-seeing, too. Matt, our drummer, is excited to do some rock climbing. He's been trying to talk some of us into going with him. I'm not sure if any of us will be brave enough. I'll let you know.

~Lorie

IT’S SO PLEASING SEEING GREEN

2008-05-05T21:15:00.000-05:00

To misquote Kermit the Frog, “It’s so pleasing seeing green.” No, I’m not talking about money (Though I must honestly say money is not totally lacking in its own charms). What I’m talking about is seeing the green of Spring. I realize the calendar has said it’s been Spring for about six weeks, but only recently and in particular today did it feel like it. I went for a walk after work and reveled in the sights and smells of Spring. It truly is a season of rebirth after the long sleep of Winter. And for those of us in the Northland, it can be a very long sleep. But finally the mantle of white has been cast off and nature is putting on a new coat.

As I walked along I was struck by how wonderful it felt to be outside breathing in the fresh air and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. If I’m to be completely honest, I really wouldn’t want it any warmer than today. The low 70s are perfectly fine with me. The birds were singing and there were even a couple folks out mowing their lawn. I find it hard to believe there would be much to cut so early, but I guess you never can tell how quickly the grass grows, particularly when you’re not looking. I even spotted a few dandelions in some of the yards.

Now I know that to many people they are a weed and should not be a part of their yard, but to me the dandelions were always a part of spring and summer; their wondrously sunny faces peering up from the sea of green grass. I’m not sure when it was mandated that all lawns must be perfectly green, without weeds and all of a color, but it appears that private yards now strive to look like the greens on a golf course; meticulously groomed and without a patch of brown in view.

But, I digress. The sights and sounds of this glorious evening were not lost on me. We spend a great deal of time traveling and I have already seen Spring make it’s appearance in other parts of the country, but it is especially renewing to my soul to see it in my own back yard. I heard the robins singing and the sounds of children playing in the yards and I found it hard not to think back to those years (which often seem quite distant) when I was one of those kids. Maybe I’ll try to find time this year to sit on the swings or to walk barefoot in the grass.

It is so pleasing seeing green and I look forward to enjoying it for the next five or so months.

Terrence Niska

Our Busy Season Just Beginning!

2008-05-02T13:56:00.001-05:00

Five By Design is coming up to it’s last tour for the 07-08 season. We are heading off to Regina (Canada) and then Colorado Springs. I know, another long haul, but on the bright side we really do get to see some beautiful scenery. We are contracted for some shows this summer, but it is “technically” our off season. The good thing about the summer is that two of the concerts are here in the cities. We get to perform with the Bloomington Symphony on July 3rd (and then get to see the fireworks right after) and at the Minnesota State Fair on Aug 27 & 28th (Leinie Lodge Bandshell).

Winding down on tour however, does not mean down time. We use the summer to prepare for the following season by booking flights and hotel rooms, advancing shows, finalizing the budget (which for use begins July 1 - June 30), revamping any paperwork such as contracts and riders......and the list goes on. I won’t bore you with any more details. Suffice it to say that the touring season ending does NOT mean down time for us. In fact it truly is just as busy as being on the road. And on that note I need to get back to working on the budget with my wife, who is patiently waiting for me to finish this blog. Until next time!

Michael

Beautiful Dewey Spring Morning

2008-05-02T09:43:00.001-05:00

On my walk this morning, I just reveled in the clean smells of spring, especially strong after overnight rains. I feel like I get so much more done when there are clouds in the sky… I wonder if I moved to somewhere like Seattle would my productivity increase that dramatically? I don’t know if it’s actually true, but I just feel like I do get more done in dreary weather.

I have tickets to a couple shows this weekend – ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Blues in the Night’ – both playing at the Ordway in St. Paul... it’s so nice to be sitting in the audience once in a while! I love to see what else it going on out there. I’m also looking forward to spending time with my family this weekend.

It’s time to get back to work – so many things to do during the short time I’m actually home!

~Sheridan

Speaking with students in Johnstown, PA

2008-04-23T22:30:00.003-05:00

Tonight we had the fun opportunity to do a workshop for some interested music students and teachers in conjunction with our performance here in Johnstown, PA. We introduced ourselves, sang some songs, and touched on many aspects of what we do, spending the most time talking about and demonstrating some of the different elements of ensemble singing such as blend, rehearsal techniques, phrasing, and mic technique. We also touched a bit on scat singing and arranging. We were asked a lot of great questions and time just flew by. We really appreciated everyone's enthusiasim and attentiveness and we hope we've made some new friends who will keep in touch. We are very encouraged when we meet so many great young people who are interested this music. It's very important to us that this music continue to be performed and enjoyed by people of all ages and educational opportunities such as this are key in developing and cultivating a new generation of swing music lovers to ensure this music continues to live on.

~Lorie

Flying The Friendly Skies

2008-04-20T05:31:00.000-05:00

I would have to say that my least favorite mode of transportation is flying. It’s not so much that I have a fear of flying as much as a concern about falling. To be fair, I have never taken a cruise, I have only traveled once by train but I have spent a good deal of time on a bus. When I was going to school out East I became quite familiar with the Greyhound bus route as well as the stations where I would spend time waiting for the next bus. It took about 36 hours to travel from my home in Wisconsin to New Jersey. The first trip was filled with equal parts excitement because I was going to grad school to pursue my Masters Degree and apprehension for the number of hours it would take. All in all it’s not the worst way to travel, particularly if you’re not in any hurry.

This brings me back to flying. While it is much quicker to get from here to there in an airplane the accommodations are not all that different from a bus. Unless you are traveling first class, the space between you and the other passengers is minimal and leg room is even worse on a plane. The rest rooms seem about the same from what I recall, but you don’t have quite the same turbulence on a bus that you experience in the air. If your flight is long enough you may get a beverage and perhaps even a bag of pretzels (Gone are the days of peanuts). I do recall that there was a dining car on the train, but I did not partake of it’s culinary offerings.

The mode of travel that Five By Design uses most often is a fifteen passenger van and a twenty-four foot box truck. Because we generally travel with all of our shows at one time, two of our members are almost always on the road in the truck. The rest of us ride in the van which I may have mentioned in an earlier blog I usually drive. I figure I have logged close to 400,000 miles since I joined the group 17 years ago. I have seen many parts of the country multiple times (some I really only needed to see once) and have driven through every state in the lower 48. It was never a goal I had set for myself, it simply happened to work out that way. It isn’t even that I love driving so much. To be honest, my reason for spending all that time behind the wheel is that it’s the most comfortable seat in the van. The bench seats don’t offer much in the line of support and the passenger front seat does not have a lot of leg room.

All that being said, I still enjoy traveling by ground better than flying. I like the convenience of getting there quicker, but I think too much of our lives today is about convenience. Driving does allow us more opportunities to stop and smell the roses along the way, although anyone who has ever traveled with us will testify that I am not a champion of stopping once we start rolling down the road. I like to get where we’re going so you might think I would choose flying over driving, but I still want the option open to me to stop along the way. My primary reason for not stopping when Five By Design is on the road is that I prefer driving during the daylight. If you want to see the country you’re traveling through it’s a lot easier to do so while the sun is up.

I think I have rattled on long enough about this particular aspect of Five By Design long enough. We just flew in yesterday from a successful guest appearance with the Wheeling Symphony on Friday, April 18th where we had the opportunity to share the stage with Peter Marshall, former host of Hollywood Squares and a fine singer as well. We now look forward to four more shows in the next eight days stretching from Kalamazoo, MI to Johnstown, PA to Harrisburg, PA and then home for a few days before heading off to Regina,Canada and Colorado Springs. We’ll see a lot of the country over the next couple of weeks, but at least we’ll be seeing it from the ground. And for my tastes, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Terrence Niska

"It's Wheeling Steel"

2008-04-16T13:26:00.001-05:00

Next up for Five By Design is a trip to Wheeling, West Virginia, where we will be part of a new production put together by the Wheeling Symphony. The production is based on the radio show “It’s Wheeling Steel”, which aired nationally from 1936-44. The show featured workers from the steel mill (amateur musicians and entertainers) who showcased their talents in front of the nation. We are musically representing some of those talented individuals and are honored to be a part of this historic recreation. Five By Design will have the opportunity to sing some timeless classics from the 40’s including Sentimental Journey, God Bless America, I’ll Be Seeing You, and Chattanooga Choo Choo. Doing a project like this is exciting for us because we are passionate about keeping the music and culture of the 1940’s alive for generations to come.
Mike

Bette Davis

2008-04-14T23:39:00.000-05:00

In an autobiography by Bette Davis (The Lonely Life), she tells about her training as an actress in dance classes (which taught her movement) and early summer stock productions. Last night I got to a part in her book where she tells of a particular moment of brilliance after she performed a role that meant a lot to her – the ingénue role of Hedwig in Henrik Ibsen's "The Wild Duck" – in her hometown of Boston with Ibsen Repertory. Once the curtain fell after the final act and she heard the thunderous applause and "bravos!" Ms. Davis wrote: "It is impossible to describe the sweetness of such a moment. You are at once the indulged beloved and the humble lover... this was the true beginning of the one, great, durable romance of my life."

Wow… what an amazing woman. Her class of performance makes me wonder what kind of timeless luminaries will stand out from my generation? I think about how training our upcoming singers and actors is different from even 60 years ago and how it is creating a better performer. How can we keep our artistic profession dignified along some of the things on the tv/ radio/ internet?

Random thought of the day:
I heard today that one hour of exercise equals two extended hours of life. I don't know if this is factual, but it sure is an incentive [to be sa-tis-fact-ual…]. (I had to do that!)

~Sheridan

Staying fit on the road

2008-04-08T22:16:00.001-05:00

Staying fit while being on the road can be quite a challenge. Tight time schedules, eating at fast food restaurants, and staying at hotels with often less than ideal exercise equipment (sometimes none at all) are all situations we encounter that make staying fit difficult. The key is to educate yourself and create good habits that you adhere to as part of your life whether you're at home or traveling. It's really all about the choices you make. Most restaurants now have healthful selections and nutritional informaton available. The key is to avoid the temptation of the non-healthy foods and set your mind to choose the healthy ones. The more you do it, the more it becomes habit and the more you actually crave the healthy foods. The same goes with exercise. Just do it. If you stop and think about it, it's very easy to talk yourself out of making time for it. You must make it something you just do, and once you do it, you will feel great. That great feeling gets stronger everytime you exercise until you can't imagine not exercising. When I book hotels rooms for our tours, I look for hotels with exercise rooms and many have them. The equipment may not aways be in the best shape, but usually it is useable. The most important thing is to make health and fitness a priority in your life and do it!!

~Lorie

Look For The Silver Lining

2008-04-05T10:00:00.002-05:00

I think it’s important that whatever we do and whatever problems or obstacles we may encounter we must always endeavor to look for the silver lining. Take touring, for example. While there are difficulties in being on the road, it also affords me the opportunity to see friends and family who are spread out across the country. I recently had the chance to see my sister and her husband while we were in Anderson, Indiana and was able to spend a few days with them while waiting to head on over for our show tonight here in Terre Haute. It was so wonderful just to be there and spend time at their home, sharing meals and laughter. The love they have for one another is a blessing not only to them, but to those who come in contact with them, as well.

Growing up in a family with five other siblings, you tend to take for granted that they’ll always be there. In fact, I remember often thinking how great it would be just to have a little space away from them. It certainly wasn’t a question of not loving them, but, as on the road, a little togetherness can often go a long, long way. Now, however, I look forward to any chance that comes along to see them. I’m sure it has a lot to do with getting older, but I hope that anyone reading this takes to heart this little piece of advice: Cherish the time you have with loved ones, make the most of it. They will not always be there and opportunities missed are seldom regained.

Too often in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives we forget about the connections we’ve made along our journey through life. I know myself that there have been friends made and over the course of time I’ve lost touch with them. It’s a bit sad, but I also look at the silver lining of what I have gained from each one. Every contact you make with another person gives you the chance to be enriched and to enrich others. We are, or as I’m often reminded, should be always striving to grow as individuals and as a society. Look for ways to improve not only your own life but ways to bring some happiness to others, which really is just another way to improve your own. As I’ve stated in an earlier blog, that’s why I enjoy making music.

It may be odd to those who know me to read this as I am not the most optimistic person in the world. I generally see the difficulties ahead and let them deter me from taking risks. Change is hard, but I do keep trying. It’s far too easy today to be distracted by all the news of a more or less depressing nature, and I am by no means suggesting to ignore the realities of life, but only to look for the silver lining wherever you may find it. Know that every day the sun will rise. Even if the clouds are in the way, it’s up there somewhere.

Terrence Niska

Looking Forward to Summer!

2008-04-02T10:43:00.000-05:00

Christmas is gone now and spring has just arrived (even though it doesn't seem like it with the snow storm we just had). On days like today looking at the snow on the ground my mind wanders to some of the things I will get to be doing this summer.
There is a lot to look forward to this summer. Every year Midge and I spend at least a weekend in Door County, WI exploring the trails in the state parks and the little towns that dot the shore line. Our personal favorite is Ephraim, which is about halfway up the peninsula and has a fantastic place to eat breakfast. If you ever find yourself in the area we would recommend a wonderful little restaurant called The Second Story. The veggie omelets and muffins are fantastic! We also love spending time with family sitting around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and reminiscing. We have a fire pit in both Algoma,WI (where Midge’s parents live) and Washburn, WI (my parents). Both places are on the water and have wonderful walking trails on the shoreline. There is nothing like seeing a sunset over the lake. After a very long and snowy winter I am looking forward to the long warm days of summer.
Michael

Good Friends

2008-03-24T22:10:00.003-05:00

Kurt and I were invited to our good friends, Debbie and Kendall's, for a yummy Easter dinner. Debbie is one of Five By Design's past altos and both she and Kendall are very, very good friends from our college days at UW-Eau Claire. Debbie made a delicious Chicken Marsala dinner, and we had lots of fun visiting and catching up with each other's lives. Unfortuately, our visits are few and far between, so we treasure every moment we have with them. Most importantly, though, I have yet to mention the fun we had getting to spend time with their adorably cute sons. They had lots of energy and kept us thoroughly entertained. What a beautiful family they make. Thank goodness for good friends. They are good for the soul and they hold a very special place in our hearts.

~Lorie

Christmastime Is Here (Almost)

2008-03-21T10:19:00.001-05:00

I know what you’re thinking. This blog must be coming out at the wrong time!! We’ve barely left the yuletide season and Easter is nearly upon us. This guy can’t possibly be thinking about Christmas.

Well, as a matter of fact I am thinking about it. Truth to tell, I’m not the only one in our group that has reindeer on the brain. The creative process starts much earlier than you might realize, and we’ve only eight months until we have to be ready with our Radio Holly Days program. This means selecting the songs, getting copyright permission, arranging the music, picking out the costumes, learning the vocals and all the other assorted activities that go into bringing one of our shows to the stage.

“But,” you say, “there’s plenty of time and surely there’s no need to rush headlong into Christmas when Spring has barely sprung!”

First of all, please don’t call me Shirley. ( I know, I know! It’s an oldie, but it’s still a goodie.) Secondly, time has a way of fooling you. It has a tendency to be compressed as the deadline draws closer. I think Einstein was on the right track with his theory of relativity. There are so many details to take care of and most of the time they take not one or two but many discussions, phone calls and meetings which lead to more meetings and more emails until you begin to wonder what the original question was in the first place. A seemingly simple hitch suddenly blossoms into a multi-faceted riddle, wrapped in an enigma and surrounded by a conundrum. All of this is really a long-winded way of saying that putting a show together takes a lot of time and the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll reach the finish line.

Of course, that’s the way way it is with everything in life. Things don’t get done by themselves. You may have to take small steps, but as long as you’re moving forward that’s what truly counts.

So, for now we’ll continue taking those baby steps toward next Winter’s shows while at the same time enjoying the warmer weather and the return of Spring to Minnesota.

Terrence Niska

Q&A

2008-03-18T12:39:00.001-05:00

One aspect of working with a touring vocal group that happens a lot is doing radio, newspaper and television interviews. At times, when doing interviews, we get asked some thought provoking questions. I thought I would answer one question that comes up a lot during interviews.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of Five By Design?
I do not want to sugar coat the truth, there are times when being a member of Five By Design can be challenging. However, despite the challenges I really love working with these people. Having the chance to create shows, from original concept to the script writing, song selection, costuming, and vocal arranging, is what really drives me. All the work we put in culminates during the first performance of a show when we get to perform the music and feel the energy of an audience experiencing the results of our work first hand. It just doesn't get much better than that. I feel very blessed to have a supportive wife and the opportunity to do something that excites and challenges me every day. The fact I get to do it with an exceptionally talented team of people who share my passion make the difficult times worth facing.
Michael

Lessons

2008-03-15T19:09:00.002-05:00

One of the best things about being home is the ability to practice and sing whenever I want. It's been wonderful to get back into lessons the past year, a second ear and eye to make sure correct vocal technique is consistently there. I'm going back to a great book from vocal pedagogy class I read in college. It's easy to fall into some bad habits when singing within a group, and being on the road without a usual practice routine doesn't help. It's my greatest fear as a vocalist but I'm determined to keep healthy – there are too many good years of music making ahead!

~Sheridan

Daylight Savings Time Blues

2008-03-10T08:34:00.002-05:00

It’s one of the days I dislike most - the day we “spring ahead” and lose an hour. I have enough trouble getting everything done and staying on schedule when I have all my hours in tact and now - poof - it’s gone. Kurt dutifully changed all the clocks and we attempted to proceed through our day as though everything was normal, but try as we might, inside we knew...something was amiss. Through some cruel twist of astromomical adjustment, we had been robbed of a full hour of glorious sleep. O.K., O.K. I know I’m being overdramatic here. I guess it’s not really all bad. On the bright side (get it, the bright side), we’re gaining more hours of daylight, and hey, at least we weren’t on the road when our sleep time can be too short as it is. Yes, I guess I’ll live, but you can bet I’ll be looking forward to getting that hour - that precious, wonderful hour - back in the fall!

~Lorie

On Turning "60"

2008-03-09T20:26:00.002-05:00

Last week, Trice and the members of Five By Design threw a surprise birthday for me. Five By Design's Michael Swedberg whisked me away from my house for a "business meeting" at Mystic Lake Casino. No, I am not a gambler, but we are exploring the casino's theatre as a potential new venue for 5XD. I fell for the ploy completely.

My 60th birthday is very special. When I initially started Five By Design in 1982, I never realized what the group would achieve. The members of the group... Lorie, Sheridan, Kurt, Michael, and Terry hold a very special place in my heart. And now with the addition of Midge and Daniel to our team, we are on the verge of some very exciting possibilities.

When I arrived back at home, my house was turned into a cabaret complete with faux stage, curtains, balloons, and yes... lots of friends. I thought this was going to be a small intimate party until the door bell rang at various stages during the evening and in came Vicki and Joe, Debbie, and Kendall, Dyann and Bill, Nina, Cathy, Todd and Kaysie & Brayden, Dave and Marcy, Dan and Kiell. It was a bit overwhelming. And yes there was singing... lots of singing. Lyrics were changed and altered to provide me with lots of smiles and a tear or two.

Five By Design has existed in some form for twenty-five years and is entering it's eleventh season as a full-time business entity. A special group of people with marvelous talents. There's been a reason that Five By Design has been together for so many years. Many thanks and love to all for making the dream a reality.

—Alton Accola

Winter's Last Hurrah?

2008-03-06T10:09:00.002-06:00

The wondrous thing about living in Minnesota is you never quite know when Winter will end. You have thaws in January and February and then the brutal cold returns or inches of snow fall the next day or week snarling traffic and deflating the hopes of the hearty citizens that Spring is almost here. I know there are those whose livelihood depends on the snow and cold of the season, I, however, am not one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I think that a fresh dusting of snow on the pine trees is beautiful, or when the frost coats the trees and it looks like something out of a Currier & Ives print it can truly make me stop and stare. All I’m saying is that I like to see these things from the warmth of a car or from the window of my home.

I’m not exactly sure when I lost the invincibility of youth. I can still clearly remember playing outside in the cold without a hat on, all the while my mother strongly encouraging me to put on a hat. It’s different now. I don’t need any prodding to zip up my coat and put on my earmuffs before heading out to shovel the drive. It’s not as if I moved to a different climate and now need to readjust to the cold, I simply seem to have lost the protective shell of childhood. Maybe it’s my metabolism slowing down. Maybe it’s the responsibilities of life stripping away the insulation that we have as children. Maybe I’m just ready to see Summer make it’s all to brief return to the Northland. Whatever it is, I certainly am looking forward to Winter loosening it’s grip.

The weathermen say it’s going to be in the 40s next week. I look forward to that with anticipation. I know it’s not the end of Winter yet, but it’s getting close. Yesterday, I saw some Canadian Geese flying overhead and it filled me with a burst of joy to hear their honking and know that it is only a matter of time. In the meantime, I will just have to put on an extra layer of clothes and let the memories of childhood rekindle the flame that warms me from the inside out. And perhaps a nice cup of hot chocolate.

Terrence

Reconnecting to my passion

2008-03-03T09:44:00.003-06:00

There are times In the middle of a long tour when I go to the room number from 2 motels ago because the motels start to look suspiciously alike. My energy begins to ebb and “there's no place like home” becomes my mantra. During these times one of the ways I can get my energy and enthusiasm back is to reconnect with the movie musicals that have always held a special place in my heart. Classics movies like “Singing in the Rain” (I could watch it 100 times and it wouldn’t get old), “The Band Wagon” which came out in 1953 and stars Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse (what fantastic performers! ) and “Meet Me in Saint Louis” starring the incomparable Judy Garland. Watching these movies helps me reconnect to the reason I love to perform. There is nothing in the world like performing a well written song like “Moonlight in Vermont” or “It’s Been a Long Long Time” where the music and words come together in an almost magical way and the results are timeless. Not to mention the songs that make you want to get out of your seat and dance, like “Sing Sing Sing”, “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “In the Mood”. We have an entertainment history to be cherished and kept alive in this country. Thank God for all the wonderful composers, directors and performers from the past. For me a new attitude is just one great movie performance away and I have the energy to face yet another audience with confidence.

Other movie musicals I recommend which bring me joy and inspiration include; “An American in Paris”(1951), “The Barkleys of Broadway” (1949) “On the Town”(1949) and “Easter Parade”(1948).
Some performers I enjoy watching on You tube: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelley, Cyd Charisse, Vera Ellen, the Nicholas Brothers and Ann Miller.
Michael

On the Road vs. Marriage

2008-02-29T09:01:00.001-06:00

FINALLY! At home with my wife. Unlike Kurt and Lorie (the soprano and tenor of the group), who are married and on the road together, I don’t have that luxury. Although my wife has been on the road with me sometimes the majority of the time she stays behind in the office. After being married only a year and a half, I have been separated from my wife at least a quarter of the time. Everyone jokes that we can’t argue because we don’t see each other enough. Unfortunately, that is not true. The first year of marriage, as the saying goes, is a very difficult time of adjustment. Getting to know each others quirks and idiosyncrasies has left us laughing and crying. I know without a doubt though that it is worth it. My wife has certainly completed me in areas that I really needed work (and the same can be said for me with her). Our differences have really helped develop my character in a very positive way. She is the organized one and I am creative so you know who needs more patience (the answer is her, she will be reading this you know). Seriously though, I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful wife and in the meantime we will continue to use the phone a lot on tour (thank God for cell phones).
Michael

There's no place like home!

2008-02-23T23:37:00.002-06:00

We're coming to the end of a long stretch of being on the road and Kurt and I are looking forward to getting home and living in our own home for a bit. Since heading out for our New Year's gig in Duluth, MN on Dec 29th, I have been home for a total of 4 days and Kurt for a total of 2 days! It's been a busy 2 months full of many shows and lots of traveling. For the most part, everything has gone very well. Our biggest challenge has been the weather, and I suppose, what can you expect for Jan and Feb. Luckily, we were able to make it to all of our shows. Unfortuately, for a few of the shows, much of the audience was not. Those that did make it sure were enthusiastic, though. We definitely appreciated them braving the elements to come see us. It looks like the weather is going to cooperate with us and allow us to get home without too much trouble. The van will attempt to make it home in one very long travel day while Kurt and I ,in the truck, will take 2 days. We're all looking forward to sleeping in our own beds. In the words of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz... "there's no place like home".

-Lorie

The Reason I Sing

2008-02-20T13:50:00.000-06:00

Music is a powerful part of everyone's life. Or at least it should be. If we are to be honest with ourselves, music has played a role in all our lives. Not always in the most obvious of ways, but it has been there nonetheless. When we watch a movie and feel particularly touched by a scene, oftentimes it has more to do with the music underpinning the dialogue than the words themselves. This is by no means meant to take anything away from the gifted actors who are capable of making us feel something without background music, but rather a simple fact I have noticed for myself over the years and have even read articles relating much the same thing. People have their favorite songs, couples have "their song," we have music that makes us feel better when we're in a rotten mood as well as music that stirs the primal emotions all of us keep inside. If we let it, music will touch our very soul.

It is this power to reach into the core of our being that led me to pursue a career in music. At first, I intended to bring my passion for music to others through education, but I quickly learned that my particular gifts did not lie down that path. It was as a performer first, and now as an arranger that I feel I was destined to exhibit my love of all things musical. Through performing in Five By Design I have seen the amazing ability of music to touch the listener in ways for which they may not be totally prepared. After the shows, when we meet the audience, individuals will come up to us and relate how our show made them "feel young again," or allowed them to feel it was OK to laugh again after losing someone they loved. Men and women alike with tears in their eyes, some from recalling sad times of the past, but most reliving the joy that our music brought rushing back to their memory, tell us their stories. It is those moments that keep me going, that reinvigorate me, that give me the necessary lift when the rigors of being on the road wear me down.

This is by no means a glamorous life, as anyone who has ever been on the road can tell you, but it is usually a fulfilling one. Not enough people are able to do what they love in their lives. Most of the world seems to be stuck doing what they must to put food on the table and clothes on their back. I feel blessed that I have been able to pursue my passion for music and my fondest desire is to never lose that passion. If the day ever comes when singing this music no longer revitalizes me, than that would be a clear sign that it may be time to give it up and stop pretending. Any audience can tell when the artist is simply going through the motions and in my mind that is a far greater crime than not meeting todays standards of excellence brought about by the recording studio. If the musician still possesses the power to move the listener, that is the greatest compliment they can receive. Not that it was a technically flawless, but sterile, performance.

Perhaps that is why I have taken such a shine to arranging. It offers me the ability to still do something with music, but not be out on the road. I love the opportunity to say something new with a song that people are already familiar with as well as the challenge of trying to create something totally new. When I was recently watching TV after one of our shows, I happened to come across Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King." I will admit freely that I am a huge fan of the movies and saw them in the theater multiple times and own the DVDs and soundtracks. On this particular evening, I was struck once again by the enormous contribution that Howard Shore's soundtrack brought to the film and I can only hope to have that impact on our listeners. Creating something new, to tell a story through music, to touch the lives of others in the smallest of ways, to bring joy to an audience; those are my goals, those are the reasons I follow this particular path and I humbly hope to never lose sight of them.

Terrence Niska

Baklava in Pennsylvania

2008-02-18T16:57:00.001-06:00

After a show in Uniontown this past weekend, we came out to the front lobby to say hello to our audience as we always do. We were happy to see a spunky elderly woman who has come to every show we’ve done at the State Theater (our third time there in three years). She first introduced herself in 2005 when we presented Radio Days there and was so touched by our show as she was a WWII bride and related especially to that particular show. We discovered that she had recently written a book about her experiences as a war bride. It’s always interesting to meet our audiences, but sometimes there are certain people that make these shows even more worthwhile to present… she is one of these special and generous people I’ll never forget. This time, she and her daughter actually brought some beautiful and tasty treats for us! She must be close to 80 y/o – she had perfectly knitted two beautiful scarves for Lorie and me, and also brought a big tin of delicious baklava, Belgian waffle cookies and some German pastries that she generously made for us. It’s amazing the energy this woman exudes – I loved talking to her and her daughter. And everyone in the group certainly enjoyed the treats – by this morning the big tin was empty! (I admit, I took the last piece of baklava… yummmmm!!)

~Sheridan

In sickness & performance

2008-02-06T12:39:00.000-06:00

This week was a tough one. I rode home last monday in the van from Branson feeling very sick and praying I would not pass it on to the rest of the group. It was a long trip to Minneapolis. As a performer with no back up it makes it extremely tough to just take a “sick day”. As they say, the show must go on. I was down and out until we left again on Friday for East Lansing, MI. We performed Saturday night at the Wharton Center on the campus of Michigan State University. The venue was very nice, although I will most likely only remember this performance as a “just need to get through” performance. It always amazes me how much energy you have to put out for a two hour performance. Needless to say, I was drained after the show. Even the great audience at the show could not energize my tired, sick body. We are currently driving back to Minneapolis (a 12 hour van trip) and I am looking forward to crashing in my own bed tonight. Life on the road and being sick just don’t go together. Have no fear though, my next blog will be much more cheerful!

4 days driving for 2 days shows

2008-01-30T23:24:00.000-06:00

I’ve been spoiled the last month – I’ve been able to fly to two places for shows – Spokane, WA right before Christmas for three pop symphony holiday concerts and Orlando, FL for two shows with the Orlando Philharmonic – but we had to drive down to Texas (Waco and Richardson/ Dallas) for big band shows there – with a side trip over to Branson, MO to check out a theater and a quick meeting. A little over 2,000 miles total… a drop in the bucket in terms of our touring season. I prefer flying! When it’s quick in-and-out runs like this, we rarely get to experience much more than the darkness of the theater and a hotel room with set-up, rehearsal, show, and tear-down all in the same day. It’s not always as exciting and glamorous as some would think!

I sit in the van now as we drive through Missouri, heading towards Kansas City and back onto I-35N toward Minneapolis, writing on my laptop after exchanging notes on our last two shows in TX with Daniel, our technical director/ lighting director/ stage manager/ general know-it-all. Both shows went quite well; our band was actually very good! We had not played with most of these musicians before so it is very nice to now have a solid connection in this area. And we had good houses with appreciative audiences; you can’t ask for much more.

I get to enjoy homelife for 3 whole days before heading out on the road again. We’ll be on the road most of February. I’ll try to get in as much cooking as possible and make some meals I can freeze – I’m usually so sick of eating in restaurants!

I’m finally posting this blog after two days home. There’s so much to do besides unpack, do laundry, repack. I try to see as many friends and family as possible when I’m home along with the little errands that have to get done, not to mention keeping up with my 5xD workload. I also try to get to as much theatre or music when I’m home – or on the road. I’m lucky to have so many friends in theatre so sometimes I get comp tickets or at least get the secret passcode for a discount. Last night Daniel and I bought rush tickets for $20 each at the Guthrie for Peer Gynt starring Mark Rylance as the title role. I had seen this fantastic actor a few years ago when the Globe Theatre preformed it at the Guthrie with their touring production of Twelfth Night. We had terrific seats – front-and-center fourth row. Daniel gave me some background on the play and he was interested to hear my reaction. Mark was an amazing actor – a master in Shakespeare and his training was vital to make his role work well – and I had the privilege to work with four other actors on the stage in previous shows, so it was fascinating to watch them work their craft too. Theatre is such a wonderful transport into another world, inviting the audience to think in other terms of life. What a great way to exercise the brain, eh?

Fun in the Sun

2008-01-24T10:02:00.002-06:00

My brother Kurt & I recently had the opportunity to escape the bone-chilling cold of Minnesota for the sunny warmth of Florida. We were able to spend some time with our brother Mike and his wife, Morgan. They took such good care of us that fitting into costumes after a week with them was somewhat of a challenge. Morgan is such a terrific cook. Everything was fantastic, but I think my favorites were the Chicken Tika Masala and her Creamy Garlic Cucumbers. We really had a wonderful time. We didn't do a lot of sightseeing, in fact we were indoors working on the day to day business of Five By Design most of the time we were there. We did manage to get out for a walk or to and the weather cooperated splendidly for the most part. I can understand why people spend the winter down here. While I would miss the snow at Christmas time, I certainly don't think I would miss the four to six months of cold back home in Minnesota. That being said, though, I still love the change of seasons and I would not want to be in Florida for the summer. At least not until I sprout gills making it possible to breath in the oppressive humidity.

We also had the chance to meet up again with some of our cousins who are living in the Orlando area. It's been many years since I last saw Keith and Debbi, and it was the first time I'd met Keith's wife Irma and their two kids, Keithie and Sara. In fact, Mike and Morgan and their friends were seated directly in front of Keith and his family and they didn't even know it until after the show. Email addresses and phone numbers were exchanged after the show but we were pressed for time since we had another show in just a couple of hours. All in all it was a lot of fun and we look forward to seeing everyone again the next time we're in the area.

Speaking of the show in Orlando, we had a great time working the the Orlando Philharmonic and it was the second time we'd worked with their conductor, Andrew Lane. We had previously worked with him in Sarasota where he conducts the Florida West Coast Symphony. It is truly amazing how small the symphony world is and all the connections we have made over the years. We certainly hope to be back in the Orlando area in the near future, so for those of you who may be interested, watch our website for any information regarding upcoming show dates.

We are currently in Waco, TX for a show here at the Hippodrome on Friday, Jan. 25 and then on to Richardson, TX for another show at the Eisemann Center on the 26th and then back home to Shakopee for a couple of days before heading back out on the road. I will say that I enjoy being in the South for the winter, but it will be nice to be home, even just for a few days.

Terrence Niska

Sleep Is Highly Overrated

2008-01-21T19:35:00.000-06:00

If any of you are wondering how we get around when touring, well wonder no more . Our typical mode of transportation is a 15 passenger van which has become our home away from home (some of us even have monogramed blankets) and a 24 foot box truck which houses the props for each of our three shows. It is driven by our own married couple Kurt and Lorie (tenor and soprano respectively). Sometimes however, we get what is for us a big treat. We fly to and from a show! Believe me, when we get to choose between a 3 day van ride or a 4 hour flight the answer is obvious. It is a unanimous “fly us”. We flew to Florida recently and escaped the negative 3 degree (-35 with wind chill) weather in Minneapolis. Despite the “cold” for Florida weather, we had a great time and a successful performance with the wonderful Orlando Philharmonic. There were two shows on saturday (2 & 8pm) and we were loaded out by midnight, getting us back to our rooms at about 12:30a.m. The flight on Sunday left at 6 a.m. so we had to leave the hotel at 4:15a.m. Needless to say this was hardly time for a nap, especially since it is always hard for me to wind down and get to sleep after a show. Despite the lack of sleep it’s nice to have the chance to be home with my wife even when it’s just for three days. Well, back to reality as we head for Waco, Texas in the van this wednesday.

Mike

A New Season of Idol

2008-01-16T07:34:00.000-06:00

Well, it has begun again. A new season of "American Idol." I must admit that I have not been a loyal follower of the past seasons and I can honestly say that will not change this year. I watched last nights first round of auditions from Philadelphia and it only confirms my opinion of the show. It's whole purpose is based on getting ratings at the expense of other people. I do not say this to blame the producers or the judges, nor am I offering any suggestions to alter the shows format. It is apparently popular with the audience or they would not still be on the air seven years later. I also know that by and large they focus on the auditions that did not go as well, or that have the most colorful personalities because it brings in the viewers. As a performer, I feel bad for those who have their dreams crushed, but they must take the responsibility for putting themselves in that position in the first place. I am not sure if their friends and family truly believe they have a shot at winning, I would hope so. Otherwise they are toying with peoples' emotions and that is far worse to me than the show itself.

In my opinion, many who audition are simply looking for their fifteen minutes of fame and are hoping that through the internet they will achieve it. In most cases, that will be true. Perhaps not always as they would like, but then again it may be just the result they wanted. People will be talking about them. That in itself is a somewhat sad commentary on our society; that people need to search out some form of validation from the public at large.

I have had the great blessing of support from friends and family, and while I certainly make no claim to be the greatest singer of this or any other time, I have followed a path that led me to this point in my life. Not a straight line, but one with many twists and turns. Some doors closing and others opening, sometimes only a crack. Music is my passion and I admire that trait in those who audition for "Idol" and if it is meant to be that music is to be a part of their life, it will be. But they must be ready to look for ways that may not be as obvious as being a star in the firmament of popular music.

Terrence Niska

Ever have one of those days?

2008-01-10T11:03:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had one of those days where it felt like you walked into a movie scene?
Last week we had a show in Dayton and had planned to spend Sunday, January 6th traveling the 700 miles back to Minneapolis. As Sheridan, Dan and I started out we had no idea what lay ahead. Looking back there should have been ominous violin music playing as we loaded the van for what we thought would be a 12 hour trip. Sheridan started out driving and took us safely through Chicago. I took over driving after a stop for gas and lunch. As we approached Madison, we started driving into patches of fog which limited visibility to less than 100 feet. I became very aware of the person in front of me, slowing down slightly while watching the cars behind to make sure they were aware that I was slowing down (there were cars passing me going at least 60 mph which concerned me). After about 2 miles in the fog things came to a stop. We started listening to the live Stay Tuned recording project we are currently working on to pass time, thinking the traffic would start moving soon. Well, 75 minutes later we were still at a dead stop so we turned off the van in order to conserve gas. Sheridan and Dan walked forward to see what had happened. About 6 cars ahead of us they said it looked like a war zone with crushed cars and semis jack knifed off the road and across the highway. We counted emergency vehicles as they sped by on the other side of I90 which was deserted. By the end we had counted at least 20 emergency vehicles. At 3 hours into our wait, we were watching as people got out of their cars and walked around visiting what became known to us as the his and her trees. Five hours in we were having a good time telling jokes and passing the time when we noticed the Red Cross passing out bottles of water. Needless to say this was not a good sign toward our hope that traffic would be moving anytime soon. By now Sheridan was wrapped completely (including her head) in a very soft cuddle blanket which gave the impression that the blanket was giggling every time we told a joke. Several times firemen would walk by with flashlights telling people to get back to their cars. With the new hope of moving soon all the vehicles would roar to life and turn on their lights. We would sit like this for 20 minutes and then one by one the vehicles would once again turn off their ignition to sit in the dark. Several times during the wait Sheridan's mom would call us with updates on what was happening. Here is the news story as seen on WCCO the next day.

"More than 100 cars were involved Sunday in a series of pileups that killed two people on a foggy five-mile stretch of highway just east of the city.
The Wisconsin State Patrol shut down Interstate 90 in both directions, causing a traffic backup for miles.
Flares lining the inter state's lanes cut through the fog as traffic crawled north of the accident sites. Visibility was about 100 yards. Squad cars and tow trucks streamed toward the accidents as law enforcement agents directed drivers off the interstate.
The accidents happened on a stretch of eastbound Interstate 90 running south from the Badger Interchange with Interstate 94, Dane County sheriff's Lt. Dan Bolch said.
Around 2:30 p.m., cars began braking when they hit a wall of fog near Interstate 90's intersection with U.S. Highway 12/18, Wisconsin State Patrol Lt. Laurie Steeber said. A semi-truck came up behind them and began plowing into vehicles, she said. One person was killed.
A similar pileup happened three miles away when another group of vehicles on the interstate also began braking in fog, Steeber said. A second person was killed in that pileup.
"One of my sergeants described it as a war scene," Steeber said.
She said more than 100 vehicles were involved in the series of pileups, with two major crashes involving 25 and 26 vehicles. Some 50 people were taken to area hospitals, including three with life-threatening injuries, she said.
The preliminary investigation shows that some motorists were traveling at least 70 mph -- above the 65 mph speed limit. Steeber said with the conditions, people should have slowed down."

At 11:00 pm just when we thought we would be there all night the firemen with flashlights walked through again. This time there was movement. Hallelujah! The truck nearest the accident started moving and we drove out single file through the war zone of flashing lights, police cars, tow trucks, overturned semis and crushed and damaged cars. We are very thankful to have escaped the incident with no damage outside of loosing 8 1/2 hours. Dan drove from Madison to Minneapolis very slowly getting us safely home by 5:00 am. We had been in the van all day and night and, as we said to each other at the time, “we couldn't have chosen better people to spend 22 hours in the van with”. As I look back I realize how blessed we were to have not been involved in the actual accidents and my thoughts and prayers go out to all the people who were.
Mike

23½ hours with Nanette

2008-01-09T22:12:00.000-06:00

What a surreal weekend. Stay Tuned shows in Dayton, OH with the Philharmonic went very well, and good attendance with over 1,400 people each night – pretty good for the typically dry month of January for the theatre, music scene. We left the Schuster Center a little after midnight Saturday night after load-out, then back to the hotel to pack. Mike, Daniel and I made plans to leave at 8a with the van to head back to Minneapolis. Terry and Kurt were driving to Florida over two days and Lorie was catching a ride to Green Bay with Phil to spend time with her family.

We left a little after 8 – Eastern time – with me driving and stopping at a nearby McDonald's for the boys' junk food breakfast fix. We listened to Bette Midler's Live at Last album she recorded in 1977. And so, during this strange day, our van was named Nanette…

Our Mapquest map took us through downtown Chicago, and I paid $7.85 in tolls from beginning to end. I stopped outside of Chicago to get gas and something to eat – Taco Bell, what else? We're so healthy…

Mike drove after lunch and I laid down for a nap at about 2:00p. And at 2:30p, Mike came to a stop. We had driven into some heavy fog and people were driving too fast – there was a 40 car pile up in 8 or 10 cars in front of us and another 40+ car pile up about 2½ miles behind us.

As soon as we stopped, I got up and look around and announced that I had to use the bathroom. Daniel said that wasn't going to be happening anytime soon. I saw dense fog around us and noticed traffic was stopped on the other side of the interstate too. We sat for a few minutes listening to Daniel's new Billy Joel CD, then I suggested listening to the first mix of Stay Tuned, which we were supposed to work on later that day in Wisconsin Rapids on our way back to Minneapolis.

An hour later, after watching over a dozen ambulances come and go along with people getting out of their cars and walk to the scene in front of us with cameras in hand, I asked Daniel to follow me with a blanket behind a nearby tall bush some other people had already visited. On our way back, we stopped a kid rollerblading back to his vehicle. He said there were accidents in front of and behind us with a least two people dead. News crews were walking past our van to get a story and emergency vehicles were driving the sides of the road leading up to the accidents.

I called my Mom and she searched the internet to find out what happened and would call back every so often to give us updates. There were over 100 vehicles in accidents affecting a roughly five-mile span outside and it was taking so long because officials were recreating the scene.

Our pianist Kurt Cowling called from the airport in Dayton. His flight to Milwaukee had been cancelled due to heavy fog and tried to warn us about the mess we were current in on I-90. He called our saving grace, aka Marina at the Dayton Philharmonic, and she took care of getting him a hotel room that night. (Thank you, Marina!!)

Once the sun went down, it started getting colder. As we grew hungry, Mike shared the rest of his Honey BBQ chips and I offered a vanilla yogurt and granola bars – no one took me up on the health stuff! We turned the van on only twice for 10 minutes to warm up and I bundled up the first bench seat with two fleece blankets (a pretty new embroidered one from Judy, Daniel's mom, for Christmas) and my winter coat. We listened to music on Daniel's computer until the battery died.

After 8½ hours, at 11:00p, we finally started moving forward. It was still quite foggy but I could see vehicles crushed beyond recognition to being cars and lots of emergency vehicles still parked as we passed the accidents. Daniel decided to drive us to Wisconsin Dells – about an hour away – and stop for some dinner there and see if we wanted to continue on to Mpls as we were still another 5 hours away. After a little stressful drive through the patchy fog, we stopped at Denny's in the Dells for some dinner/ breakfast. Daniel and I had 4 cups of coffee each with to go cups for both of us. Daniel said that if I could keep him up, he'd keep driving as long as road conditions were good. I turned up AC/DC's Dirty Deeds CD as we got onto I-94 and began my quest to keep Daniel awake. I asked him questions and made him tell me stories of his summer camp experiences in Arkansas.

We stopped in Eau Claire for gas and a bathroom break with all that coffee going through us. Daniel got a bottle of Mountain Dew, just to top him off. A reminder of college days…

Daniel and I dropped off Mike at his apartment a little after 5a Monday morning, then me at 5:30a. I finally fell around 7a after thanking God that I was able still alive and sleeping in my own bed. I had been awake for over 25 hours, after getting only 5 hours of sleep Saturday night. But I got up 2½ hours later at 9:30 – too many things to do and hard for me to sleep while it's daylight. Thankfully I got a good night sleep Monday night – I dropped out for 13 hours! Back to some sort of schedule; I'm always grateful to be home. We fly out next Wednesday to Orlando. YAY for Florida gigs in January!

~Sheridan

A New Year

2008-01-09T10:10:00.000-06:00

Well, another year has begun. It's time to get used to putting 2008 on all correspondence, unless of course the computer does it for you. Where would we be without the personal computer and cell phones and other such devices. They help us keep in touch in a world that is almost always on the move. I almost long for the slower paced life of even a decade ago, but that's probably just fatigue talking. Being on the road is ultimately rewarding, but it does take it's toll on the body and mind. For some it's simply being away from home and sleeping in your own bed. For others it's leaving loved ones behind. Yet, as I said, when you're on the stage and the music is playing and things are going well there is a feeling that is hard to match. Knowing that the music you're making is touching others and bringing a little joy into their lives is a wonderful way to reenergize.

We recently finished a couple of performances with the Dayton Philharmonic conducted by Neal Gittleman. Talk about being reinvigorated. It's been a little over a decade since we last worked with them. They now have a beautiful venue in which to perform, the Schuster Center. The staff were all so helpful and it was great to work with Neal again. Incidentally, he was the first conductor we worked with on our very first show Radio Days back in 1994 with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. It was that performance which launched us on a career of singing with symphonies ranging from local groups all the way to the National Symphony in Washington, D.C.

When I look back at all the places we have been and people we have met, it is truly amazing. We've logged over 300,000 miles traveling back and forth across this great country of ours and into Canada as well. There is a lot of beauty in this nation and whenever we get the chance we take in the local sights. Some are the tried and true such as Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon, but there are also many sights to see in what may be your own backyard. It's easy to take for granted what you see every day, but when I stop and really look at where I grew up in northern Wisconsin, it can take my breath away. The snow on the fir trees in winter, the colors in autumn, the lush greens of summer, the blossoms of spring heralding the end of what can sometimes seem like an endless winter. They all add up to make it a beautiful place to live and come home to recharge after months of being on the road.

I know that it is tradition to look back at the end of a year and pay tribute to the many people we have lost, both personally and professionally. For me, the passing of Pavarotti, Beverly Sills, Rostropovich, and recently Oscar Peterson touched me the most. Great artists all, and only a handful of the talent that will be sorely missed. But at the same time, the new year is an opportunity to look ahead with something of a clean slate. There is no shortage of up and coming artists and while they may not exceed the accomplishments of those who have gone before, there is no doubt that they will take something from the ones that they loved and respected.

From a personal standpoint, I look forward to 2008 as a chance to make strides in both our future as a performing ensemble and as recording artists. It's hard to balance the two. I would love to be able to tell all those who ask that there are many new recordings in the wings, but the unfortunate truth is it takes time and money to do them, and even more time and money to do them well. When we say we are working on a recording or other project, it's true. It just takes more time than we would like to get something out the door and in to the hands of our fans. As a side note, we are always open to suggestions from those who see us live or hear us on our recordings. While they may not be able to be worked in, they are listened to and may inspire us in other ways. So keep 'em coming!

Terrence Niska

Back to the Grind

2008-01-07T15:38:00.000-06:00

Well now that the holidays are over, it is as they say back to the grind. We have a lot of business to take care of this week before heading out again. The nice thing about heading out again though is we get to go to Orlando for our next performance.

The business side of this organization is difficult to keep up with, especially when being on the road so much. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to keep this organization up to date with everyday business issues. Like every business, keeping up with day to day issues is a big challenge. We are always trying to get a ton of things done in a short amount of time when at home. One of our biggest struggles is finding time to have meetings. We travel in two seperate vehichles which means we can’t all meet at the same time when traveling. Where would we be without cell phones and e-mail. I guess I don't want to know.....

As I said earlier in this letter, back to the grind!

Michael

Stay Tuned Mixing Session

2007-12-12T12:20:00.000-06:00

This past weekend Kurt,Lorie and I had the privilege of working on a possible new CD for the group. Our new show Stay Tuned was recorded live in September and we had our first mixing session with Gary Strub, who recorded this show for us. This is the third recording I have had the chance to work on. It is an incredibly long process. Each song is listened to multiple times to adjust the balance between the vocalists and between the vocals and the band. We spent all day Saturday and Sunday in the studio and this is just the beginning of the process. It was also exciting to hear an actual live recording as the previous two were done in a studio without a live audience. In our business, these recordings are a great source of revenue, which is critical to the group’s success. I am excited to hear the final product. Hope you all are too!

Michael

Fun in Winnipeg

2007-12-10T13:53:00.000-06:00

Being on the road with a touring group is a lot of hard work. Late nights, a different motel room almost every night, early mornings as we travel to the next destination to load in for a 3:00pm rehearsal and an 8:00pm show. However, there is an upside to all this. The opportunity to see some great places. With the few days available to relax and rejuvenate, I’ve had the opportunity to see some wonderful places from the Grand Canyon to the Empire State Building. On our recent trip to Winnipeg, Canada my wife Midge joined us and the two of us had the opportunity to do some sight seeing. We stayed in the Fairmont Hotel located downtown and close to Centennial
Hall where we performed with the Symphony. From the Fairmont we were able to walk to some great places of interest. A five minute walk from the hotel past the baseball stadium brought us to “The Forks” (The Fourche). The Forks are two buildings which used to be the train station. One of them has some great shops and an antique store (we always have our eye out for vintage clothing). The other building has food stands from many nationalities, including Greek, Japanese, German, Indian and a fresh produce stand. From there we took a walk down the Assiniboine River Walk which led us to the legislative building of Manitoba. Here we discovered a place which instantly became Midge’s favorite. In the grass around the legislative building were polar bear sculptures each painted in a different style. One was painted to look like it was on the beach (polka dot swim suit and beach umbrella), another had the markings of a duck, another had the northern lights painted on it plus many more. Needless to say we took a lot of pictures. There was also a wonderful suspended bridge called the Esplanade, like you might see in Holland. We had a great view eating in the restaurant which was located in the center of the bridge. Of particular note, near Centennial Hall was a bookstore that sold used books for only $5 each. This was a great find for me being a lover of old books, particularly biographies. My library includes books on movie stars, history, presidents and lots of leadership books. We had a lot of fun walking around Winnipeg for 2 days and enjoyed every minute of it!

Michael Swedberg

Happy Holidays

2007-12-10T12:05:00.000-06:00

Well, the holiday season is upon us and we are rapidly approaching a new year. In about a week we will be flying out to Spokane, WA for a couple of Christmas concerts with the Spokane Symphony. We've been to Spokane several times and we always look forward to returning there.

As you might imagine, we've been spending the last couple of weeks home working on the program for Washington as well as all the other work that goes on when you find a few spare moments. Kurt and I are doing a little caroling with some friends of ours from an excellent group you may or may not be aware of called Voice Trek ( www.voicetreksings.com ). We've known them for quite a few years and one of the women, Vicki Kueppers, actually filled in for one of our shows when our alto was unable to be there. It's a chance to do something not associated with a whole show, but rather the opportunity to sing some holiday music and bring a little yuletide cheer to others. I also recently sang at a residence home as part of their holiday programming with an excellent pianist from the area, Kristi Kruse. I've known her since my undergraduate days and it was a lot of fun to get together and sing.

As part of my Christmas tradition, I do a bit of baking for my family up north. Unfortunately, because of our touring this year in WA and other things going on here in the Cities, I wound up doing all of it for Thanksgiving. When I brought the goodies home, I told them that it was for Christmas too. Mom dutifully packed a bunch of them and put them into the freezer so they'll have something to nibble on Christmas Day. I'm only hoping that all will go well with our trip so I make it back home in time. We're scheduled to arrive back in the Cities on the 23rd, but with weather and such, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and I look forward to seeing you at one of our shows.

Terrence Niska

Thanks, Winnipeg

2007-12-03T13:27:00.000-06:00

Sunday, November 11, 2007 - I think this weekend’s shows with the Winnipeg Symphony was really one of those satisfying times that tells why I’m touring. The symphony was very good; the conductor knew her music and was really cool so that made the shows fun. Meeting the audiences after the shows was really wonderful, especially this weekend when our Radio Days show really connected with the Canadian Veteran’s Day weekend. There were many older people who came to us afterwards and told us how much the show affected them; they had lived those days. As I was walking back to my dressing room after one of the shows, a group of older women called me over. One of them told me, with tears in her eyes, that she had been a war bride and how much one of our songs affected her. She and her husband had been together for 62 years and he had passed. She and the other ladies thanked me for bringing this music to them. It was so touching, and that’s what I love about this gig. It’s really cool to know what we do really does affect people and I think that’s the best thing about music.

The rest of the weekend was nice in Winnipeg too. The Fairmont hotel was a nice stay, good food around the area (had to get perogies – yummm!), the people friendly – right down to the waitresses at Earl’s that respond with “for sure!” when you ask for something – and the weather decent for early November in southern Manitoba. It was a good way to end our first big chunk of touring this season. I’m so happy to be home for a while, spend time with family and friends again, but I’m sure I’ll get itchy feet in a few weeks – just in time for the next big chunk of tours.

~Sheridan

Calling From The Office of 5XD

2007-11-15T22:49:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, November 13th 2007—After returning from Manitoba for three performances with the Winnipeg Symphony, we returned home to Shakopee. I had Monday off and spent it at the dentist's office getting a crown replaced.

Today, I spent most of the morning on the phone, calling symphony orchestras for the 2008-2009 season. In the afternoon, the team had a meeting to discuss the development of our PBS television special with WGVU in Grand Rapids MI. Leave it to the group to peruse all the details of making this work.

Over the past thirteen years of programming pops for orchestras, I've developed some wonderful professional relationships with associates in the League. Reflecting upon the Winnipeg Symphony engagement, I must say I have been very blessed to be working with all the members of Five By Design. They're some of the top professionals in the music business, but they are genuinely wonderful people with some great values.

So I invite you to BLOG 5XD. I know other members will be posting blogs so watch for them and learn a little about us! If you have seen our shows, let us know your thoughts and if you have any questions, we will try to answer them for you. Tell your friends and neighbors about Five By Design. We appreciate your attendance at our shows. The blog is a special way of keeping in touch and I hope you will return many times.

Alton Accola
Artist Representative
FIVE BY DESIGN